Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
UNDER the dusty skies of Nyazura, where the scent of freshly turned soil mingles with the hum of growth, 38-year-old sungura musician, Simba Muchita is scripting a new chapter — blending his music, farming and an unshakable bond with rural audiences.
Boasting more than 15 years in the sungura music industry, Muchita has returned with his eighth album, “Zviriko” — which reflects both maturity and lived experience.
Known for his energetic guitar progressions and socially conscious lyrics, the artiste — backed by his long-time outfit, Hungwe Stars — has built a steady career grounded in consistency and spectacle.
The eight-track offering carries the title song, “Zviriko”, alongside “Chenjera”, “Shandisa Nguva” and “Vimbika”, among others.
While sungura music has always thrived on infectious rhythms and intricate lead guitar work, Muchita uses this album to hold up a mirror to everyday life.
The title track, “Zviriko”, is a reflective piece anchored in acceptance.
In it, Muchita confronts life’s unavoidable realities — the hardships, betrayals and unexpected turns that define the human experience.
Rather than lament circumstances, the song urges listeners to acknowledge unexpected twists and turns of life and respond with resilience.
Its instrumentation is basic sungura, a blend of brisk rhythm guitar layered with melodic basslines that carry both urgency and optimism.
“Chenjera” shifts tone, offering cautionary advice.
Here, Muchita warns against misplaced trust and reckless decision-making in a fast-changing society. The song resonates strongly in rural communities, where social bonds are tight but gossip and misunderstandings can easily spiral.
With its danceable tempo and call-and-response chorus, the song balances entertainment with moral lessons.
On “Shandisa Nguva”, Muchita turns philosophical.
The track challenges young people to value time as their greatest asset. Over shimmering guitars and steady drum patterns, he laments wasted opportunities and encourages productivity, a theme that mirrors his own life transition.
Having ventured into full-time onion farming in Nyazura, Muchita embodies the very message he sings. By day, he tends to his crops, while by night and weekends, he commands the stage.
Perhaps the album’s emotional core lies in “Vimbika”.
Rooted in traditional contemporary sounds, the song tackles fidelity issues in marriages.
Muchita explores the fractures caused by infidelity, addressing both men and women with equal candour.
The track neither judges nor excuses; instead, calls for accountability and restoration.
Sungura’s fast-paced guitars contrast poignantly with the weight of the message, creating a song that invites couples to dance and reflect.
Collectively, “Zviriko” is rich with social commentary. It navigates marriage, time management, trust, perseverance, and communal responsibility. In doing so, Muchita stays true to sungura’s essence.
His last offering, “Wakadiwanashe”, released last year, carried crowd favourites such as “Rumbidzo”, “Wedzerai Rudo” and “Tiriwenyu”.
“Rumbidzo” became particularly popular among sungura enthusiasts on Diamond FM, cementing his influence in Manicaland and beyond.
The danceable nature of that album introduced a celebratory tone, whereas “Zviriko” leans more into reflection without losing rhythmic vibrancy.
Muchita’s career has seen him performing at State galas and crossing borders into Mozambique, especially in Chimoio, where sungura enjoys a loyal following.
Yet despite these milestones, his strongest base remains in rural communities where sungura music is, not just entertainment, but cultural identity.
Growth points, business centres, and open grounds often transform into pulsating dance floors when Hungwe Stars strike the first chord.
This Saturday, Muchita returns to familiar territory for a live show at Nyika and Sons in Nyazura.
For many local fans, it will be a celebration of one of their own, one who tills the same soil they do and sings about the same struggles they face.
The talented bassist told Weekender Entertainment that passion and dreams are his career’s mainstay.
“I started the music journey more than 15 years ago with nothing, but passion and a dream. The journey has not been easy.
“There were times when resources were limited, when shows were few, and when people doubted whether rural musicians could make a lasting impact. But I kept working. I believe hard work and consistency always bear fruit. Today, I am proud that this is my eighth album. ‘Zviriko’ speaks about things we see every day — marriages breaking because of infidelity, young people wasting time, families struggling but persevering.
“I am now into full-time onion farming here in Nyazura, and that has taught me patience. Farming and music are similar; you plant, you nurture, and you wait.
“Rural communities understand my music because I live the life they live. When I perform at growth points, at State functions, or even in Mozambique, I carry their stories with me.
“I am confident they appreciate my efforts, and that support keeps me going,” he said.
